Best PCI-E Graphics card (upto $150)

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Best PCI-E Graphics card (upto $150)

dakie

80 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#63185 22-Jun-2010 11:12

Am building a HTPC and need to get a graphics card.

My PC has P4 3Ghz
4 Gb Ram
I am wanting to connect to my 42" TV via HDMI however sound will be through my 5.1 Sound Card.

Mainly used for playback of HD MKV files

Fan noise does not bother me to much.

After reading endless reviews it has just confused me a little of which would be best for me

gumdigger

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#344100 22-Jun-2010 11:36

9600GT? that's what i have, very happy with it

Asmodeus

1015 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 39

#344111 22-Jun-2010 12:11

gumdigger: 9600GT? that's what i have, very happy with it

+1 for the 9600GT

I have a fanless one too. Doesn't go above 50-55 degrees if you have a decent sized case with reasonable airflow. Plays HDTV, MKVs, upscaled AVIs & DVDs, Blurays and games @ 720P without issue

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#344160 22-Jun-2010 14:16

I'd get something a little more modern than a 9600GT, if your not gaming then a GT210 would suffice, however my understanding is the extra grunt offered by the GT250 allows for better filtering.

Where will the sound be going from the soundcard? to a HD receiver? Why are you using the soundcard?

If you go for a ATI 5450 you can do bitstreaming audio to an HD receiver if it supports it.

Nvidia has better driver support under linux so if you are considering Myth or XBMC an nvidia card would be the best idea. However, if your just going to use Windows I would consider an ATI card purely because of the aforementioned bitstreaming, nice and future proof*.

* or as futureproof as is possible with computers.

dakie

80 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#344165 22-Jun-2010 14:27

PANiCnz: Where will the sound be going from the soundcard? to a HD receiver? Why are you using the soundcard?

If you go for a ATI 5450 you can do bitstreaming audio to an HD receiver if it supports it.

Nvidia has better driver support under linux so if you are considering Myth or XBMC an nvidia card would be the best idea. However, if your just going to use Windows I would consider an ATI card purely because of the aforementioned bitstreaming, nice and future proof*.

* or as futureproof as is possible with computers.

I am going to use XBMC, not sure if I will use it under windows 7 or Linux yet (not sure which will be best)

I dont have a Audio Receiver at present but looking to in the future, At preset I have Logitec 5.1 speakers so will use them until I can afford to get a receiver (saving for a house first)

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#344167 22-Jun-2010 14:36

dakie:

I am going to use XBMC, not sure if I will use it under windows 7 or Linux yet (not sure which will be best)

I dont have a Audio Receiver at present but looking to in the future, At preset I have Logitec 5.1 speakers so will use them until I can afford to get a receiver (saving for a house first)

A house is definitely a better investment than a PC.

The one advantage that Linux has over Windows for XBMC is the LiveCD, literally boot off the disk and either run straight from the disk or install locally. Once its installed its already to go, the only configuration you need to do is inside the application (e.g import media). The LiveCD is already configured to boot straight into XBMC and give a more professional look/feel to the setup.

The big advantage that Linux had over Windows previously was GPU decoding, however with the next release of XBMC this feature will be implemented in Windows. This will allow for some hardware decoding on ATi hardware also.

However if your not that experienced in Linux I probably wouldn't bother and just go for Windows, stick to the devil you know.

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#344170 22-Jun-2010 14:37

dakie:

I am going to use XBMC, not sure if I will use it under windows 7 or Linux yet (not sure which will be best)

I dont have a Audio Receiver at present but looking to in the future, At preset I have Logitec 5.1 speakers so will use them until I can afford to get a receiver (saving for a house first)

A house is definitely a better investment than a PC.

The one advantage that Linux has over Windows for XBMC is the LiveCD, literally boot off the disk and either run straight from the disk or install locally. Once its installed its already to go, the only configuration you need to do is inside the application (e.g import media). The LiveCD is already configured to boot straight into XBMC and give a more professional look/feel to the setup.

The big advantage that Linux had over Windows previously was GPU decoding, however with the next release of XBMC this feature will be implemented in Windows. This will allow for some hardware decoding on ATi hardware also.

However if your that experienced in Linux I probably wouldn't bother and just go for Windows, stick to the devil you know.

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dakie

80 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#344189 22-Jun-2010 15:24

I have used Linux more than Windows (except for at work) and prefer it but wouldnt class myself as really knowledgeable with Linux. I currently have a macbook because I am not to much of a fan of Windows. I think I would prefer to go with Linux and XBMC rather than the live install.

In that case you are saying that I would be much better off with a NVidia card?

PANiCnz

999 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 161

#344198 22-Jun-2010 15:43

Yeah grab a GT210 or 250. It really is quite astonishing how much better Nvidia is under Linux.

If your not too fussy about filtering I would just get the GT210, they range in price from about $80 - $120. The majority are passively cooled and have a native HDMI port.

Not sure you would sneak a GT250 under your budget.

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#344381 23-Jun-2010 01:46

Nvidia is still the better choice currently for HTPC duties.

ATI has come a long way and fixed most problems over time but there are still some outstanding quirks with DVD-T / H.264 imo.